Trench 1O and Extension

Anita Cvijanovic

Trench 1O was located to the west of the long trench 1D and south of the side trench excavated by Grimm and his team in the area where the stage structure would be expected. It was 4 x 3.25m in size and was oriented North-South. The excavation carried out in the 1996 season also included an area within Grimm?s trench and was later extended another 5m to the west. After the removal of two top layers, the excavation of 1O continued in the 1997 season. The German excavation had revealed a structure mostly comprising medieval walls with no straightforward connection. Part of the aim, therefore, was to establish the nature of these walls and their possible connection with the theatre in general. A further aim in opening the extension was to investigate the extent and condition of the stage building. The excavation in Trench 1O exposed the remains of medieval walls running both north-south and east-west. They were poorly constructed, and in some areas the tumble was all that was left of the them. After recording, the east-west wall was removed to enable better access to the stone blocks which proved to be the front of the stage wall against the orchestra. The upper surface has lettering perhaps to be connected with their construction. Also in this area was a substantial well. It seems to have been dug out from the medieval levels but its absolute date may be better determined once its fill is fully excavated.

View of part of the medieval farmstead over the Roman stage-building during the course of excavation. The foundations of the Roman stage-front are visible on the upper left.

The westward extension of Trench 1O revealed continuation of the medieval walls which were found here to a height of ca. 0.8m. Their formation and the compacted floor surface in the southwest corner of the trench gave a clear indication of the internal area. The walls were shown to be built directly on top of the Roman stage (or, rather, the base level of the Roman stage) and orchestra without deposits of the intervening periods. Many fragments of earlier medieval pottery were embedded in the packing of all the construction, and several coins found at the base of the longest east-west wall will give a terminus post quem for the entire structure. Additionally, one of the walls had incorporated in its base a marble sandalled foot of a Roman statue (inv. 1000). The inside of the structure was north of the walls and the pinkish concrete surface of the Roman orchestra was probably used as a floor. The southern side of the longest wall was of much better finish which suggests that it overlooked the courtyard with the well. A significant quantity of metal slugs and nails found all over the area may suggest some level of manufacturing took place here (see also trench 1K).

Finally, after the recording and removal of these medieval walls, more of the base of the Roman stage front was revealed as well as another wall running parallel to it. This may well be earlier. Another discovery of some importance was a well-constructed terracotta pipe running along the line of the stage wall. It was in excellent condition with small perforations at regular intervals on the upper face, one of which retains part of a slim vertical metal tube. This must have been inserted for pneumatic reasons - probably to release accumulated gases in the pipe. The finds excavated immediately around the pipe are mostly of the Roman period.

View along the foundation wall for Roman stage front, looking towards the West.

In addition to the work in 1O and its Extension, some clearing was done to the north, in the western part of Grimm's trench. The removal of deposits which were packed with fragments of pottery, tiles and marble revealed more of the Roman stage wall and a zone of flat stone blocks directly associated with it, as well as the pipe. An interesting feature of the pipe in this area is that the segments are larger than those revealed in 1O Extension. Work was terminated at this level so as to leave investigation of the stage building for a separate campaign. Behind and alongside the wall, to the south, is the pipe designed to carry water away from the orchestra. One of its inspection holes is visible.The well-head towards the top of the picture belongs to the medieval farmstead, as does the rubble wall. The cutting to the left also shows medieval activity (note the door-jamb).

View across Trench 1O from the south, with Trench 1K in the background. The foundation-wall for the front of the Roman stage runs across the middle of the picture. On this side of it is another part of the drainage system running down towards the west (left). Beyond it may be seen part of the waterproof concrete surface of the orchestra. In the baulk on the northern side of the trench is part of a wall of the medieval farmstead with the remains of a doorway which was later blocked.